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W s It is always tough for players entering their draft year to crack the Canadian world junior championship roster. Cary Williams Eagles Jersey . During a NHL work stoppage, its almost impossible. In 1995, no draft-eligible players were part of Canadas dominant gold medal run and in 2005, only one made it and he went by the name Sidney Crosby. "Obviously, tradition has shown that this is a 19-year-old tournament," said Canadian head coach Steve Spott, "but the players we have that are draft-eligible deserve to be here and ultimately theyre going to be evaluated like any 19-year-old players." "Steve made it clear to all of them when they came in: age isnt a factor here," said Hockey Canada head scout Kevin Prendergast. "If theyre the best players, theyll make the team." With that in mind, we asked the four young guns at the 2012 camp – Jonathan Drouin, Nathan MacKinnon, Sean Monahan and Hunter Shinkaruk – what they have to do to overcome the odds and make what may go down as one of the strongest Canadian world junior teams ever assembled. Theres Less Pressure For Me "I dont think Im going to change too much," said MacKinnon, the Halifax Mooseheads centre, who ranks second on TSN scout Craig Buttons latest list of top prospects. "Obviously, Ill adapt to a role. Whatever role Im given, Ill adapt to it. There are countless talented guys coming to camp and a lot of guys are fighting for the same spot so Ive got to adapt quickly." MacKinnon shrugged when informed that Crosby, a fellow Cole Harbour, NS native, was the only draft-eligible player to get picked to play on a Canadian junior team during an NHL work stoppage. "I think theres less pressure for me, to be honest, because theres so many good players here," he said. MacKinnon will play alongside his Halifax linemate Jonathan Drouin during Tuesday nights intra-squad game. The pair may be the most dynamic duo in the Canadian Hockey League with MacKinnon scoring 22 times in 30 games and Drouin netting 19 goals in 24 games. "Were pretty similar," said Drouin, noting their love of sushi leads them to a local Japanese restaurant three times a week. "We always hang out a lot and it helps our on-ice chemistry. Were best friends off the ice." Hockey Canada has done its best to make life comfortable for MacKinnon this week, rooming him with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who also attended a selection camp as a 17-year-old. "If theres someone who can lend some advice, Ryan would be a good mentor for him," said Spott. "When we put our rooming list together, its about having guys that are compatible and obviously for a young player like Nathan ... theres a lot of pressure on those guys so its about putting them with veteran players who can help them through the process." Adding Grit Drouin, who skyrocketed up Buttons list this month, moving from No. 13 all the way up to No. 4, said he plans on adding a little more physicality to his game during the selection camp. "Play a good all-around game, play offensively like I play in Halifax, a little more grit," Drouin said, laying out his plan for the week. Monahan, an Ottawa forward with 12 goals in 24 games while playing for the last-place 67s this season, is also vowing to up his physical game this week. And theres a good reason why. It will be tough for the draft-eligible players to crack the top-six forwards with Nugent-Hopkins likely to centre the No. 1 unit with Jonathan Huberdeau and Mark Scheifele on his wings. Ryan Strome will likely anchor the second unit with Charles Hudon and Ty Rattie his potential linemates. So MacKinnon, Drouin, Monahan and Shinkaruk may need to prove they can fill a bottom-six role. And they would be competing against bigger guys – only Monahan stands taller than six feet among the foursome – for those jobs. But Monahan, at 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, is certainly able to throw his weight around. "He is strong enough," agreed Spott. "We saw it this summer [at the Canada-Russia Challenge] against a very strong Russian hockey club so strength for me, with Sean, is not an issue." And Monahan is eager to get his competitive juices flowing again. Hes been sidelined due to a 10-game suspension (illegal hit to the head in a game against the Plymouth Whalers on Nov. 18) for more than three weeks. "Its not a good feeling, but it happens and youve got to deal with it," Monahan, ranked sixth on Buttons list, said. "You just have to work hard off the ice to make the best of it and just move on." The suspension wont cost Monahan any points with Canadas coaching staff as Spott made it perfectly clear he has no concerns about the Brampton, Ont. natives on-ice judgement. "Hes mature beyond his years when it comes to the game," Spott said on Tuesday. "His hockey sense is, in my mind, at a National Hockey League level right now. Hes a guy like Hudon, who can play in all situations, can play the wing or centre." Speed Key For Shinkaruk Shinkaruk, for his part, plans on sticking to what got him here. "Coming in, the main thing Ive got to use is my speed," said the Medicine Hat Tigers forward, whos 11th on Buttons list. "I think it will allow me to play in all roles. I think the coaching staff will see that. Ive got to come in and use my creativity, use my shot and create offence. I feel, if I do that, thats going to give me the biggest shot to make this team." Shinkaruk, tied for eighth in the WHL with 19 goals in 29 games, has always admired Crosby and would love nothing better than to follow in his footsteps by making the junior team in a lockout year. "Thatd be pretty neat to be in that category obviously," he said. "Im going to do everything I can this week to give myself the best shot of making this team and hopefully when its all said and done Ill be in that group with him. "I guess now its in my hands to make sure that dream becomes reality." Eric Decker Broncos Jersey . Kendrick pitched effectively for 6 2-3 innings and Jimmy Rollins drove in a pair of runs to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night. Joe Montana Chiefs Jersey . - Juan Pablo Montoyas contribution to the NASCAR highlight reel so far this season was his crash into a jet dryer in the season-opening Daytona 500. http://www.brownsfanstore.com/Browns-Desmond-Bryant-Nike-Jersey-Pm-50.html . Then Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis ranged well to his left, made the stop and tossed to pitcher Vinnie Pestano covering first. "I was running like heck with my head down so I couldnt really tell," Avila said. Ryan Wendell Jersey . Last year this was the leagues best offence and knowing what we know now, the leagues most vicious defence.Phillip Taylor Browns Jersey . Defensive lineman Dorian Smith was also cut as CFL teams must reduce their rosters to 46 players this weekend. "The cuts we made today should get us to our numbers," said head coach Paul LaPolice.VANCOUVER -- Solomon Elimimian is back with the B.C. Lions. The middle linebacker rejoined the CFL club Thursday after failing to catch on with an NFL team. Elimimian signed with the Minnesota Vikings in the off-season but was released during training camp. He was later added to the Cleveland Browns practice roster before being let go. Elimimian will now complete the option year of his CFL contract with B.C., which has until early next week to decide on Elimimians playing status. The Lions did say Elimimian wont attend practice Friday or be in uniform wheen they host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.dddddddddddd "Were pleased to have Solomon back, but our immediate focus as a team right now is the game against the Toronto Argonauts," GM Wally Buono said in a statement. "We have asked Solomon to join us on the sidelines Saturday and we will make him available to the media prior to the game." Elimimian was named the CFLs hardest hitter last year in a poll of the leagues players. He captured the leagues top rookie award in 2010 and helped B.C. win the Grey Cup last season.

W s DUNEDIN, Fla. Mike Adams Broncos Jersey . -- Travis Sniders baseball season is going to start in Las Vegas. The Toronto Blue Jays optioned the 24-year-old left-fielder to the triple-A Las Vegas 51s on Sunday. "I tip my cap n hold my head high," said Snider on Twitter. "Left it all out there n will continue that same focus in Vegas. Thank u all for your overwhelming support." Snider hit .271 with four home runs and a team-high 16 RBIs in 17 exhibition games this spring. The move makes Eric Thames the presumptive starter in left field for Toronto on opening day. Snider and Thames competed for a spot in left field for most of 2011. Snider began that season as starter, but struggled after hitting .182 in the first 25 games of the season. He was called back up to Toronto for 24 games and hit .260 with an OPS of .682 before being sent down to triple-A Las Vegas again. Thames filled in for Snider in the outfield, hitting .262 with 12 homers and 37 RBIs in 95 games. This spring hes hit .333 with one home run and seven RBIs in 18 games. First baseman David Cooper, catcher Yan Gomes, as well as shortstops Jon Diaz and Chris Woodward were also sent to minor league camp on Sunday. The Blue Jays need to cut five more players from their roster before the start of the regular season on April 5 in Cleveland. Veteran Omar Vizquel, Luis Valbuena and Mike McCoy are all competing for the utility infielder spot, while Dustin McGowan, Aaron Laffey and Kyle Drabek hope to claim the final spot in the starting rotation. Prospect Drew Hutchison is still in camp but likely will not make Torontos final rotation. Brandon Brooks Texans Jersey . -- An injured Ryan Howard clutching his leg and writhing in pain on the ground was the lasting image for the Philadelphia Phillies disappointing 2011 finish. Mens Johnny Knox Jersey For Sale . The team said Pedroia has a hyperextended right thumb. Pedroia has not played since injuring the thumb on Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics when he landed on the back of his thumb trying to make a diving catch. http://www.bearsfanstore.com/Bears-Martellus-Bennett-Nike-Jersey-As-95.html . The Minnesota Twins signed Josh Willingham to be their hammer in situations just like this, and the struggling slugger delivered in a big way against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night. Alan Ball Jaguars Jersey . The seventh-seeded Cornet, who is ranked 73rd, earned her second career title after winning in Budapest, Hungary in 2008 and is now 2-3 in WTA finals. She lost the final in Strasbourg last month. Matt Willis Lions Jersey .C. -- Tiger Woods watched the flight of his tee shot until he could see it drifting too far right, and he hung his head slightly as the ball tumbled off the green. WASHINGTON -- The Miami Marlins have been followed by a television crew this season for a reality series that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the struggling club. With the cameras rolling after an eighth-inning meltdown and another tough loss on Saturday night, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen delivered an expletive-laden tirade that surely will make for interesting TV. Miami blew a two-run lead and gave up six runs overall in the eighth as the Washington Nationals rallied for a 10-7 win. Relief pitcher Mike Dunn dropped an easy toss from first baseman Carlos Lee for an error that fueled the inning and led to six unearned runs. Dunns error came before two RBI singles, a three-run home run by Danny Espinosa, and a solo shot by Bryce Harper. "There you go. Theres the baseball game right there," Guillen said. "He gives up a home run, thats fine. But we do the same (stuff) every day, day-in and day-out. Thats the reason why we practice that." Its been a bizarre year for the Marlins, who have opened a new stadium, spent heavily on free agents and underperformed on the field. They traded slumping third baseman Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers. "The way we play all year along, thats a normal game for us. We find a way to lose no matter what," Guillen said. "I guess you better get used to it whether youre a coach or manager. Very, very weird. Funny the way weve been playing." Washington trailed 6-4 heading into the eighth, but the Nationals tied it on run-scoring singles by Steve Lombardozzi and Tyler Moore against Dunn (0-1). Dunn allowed six unearned runs following his error. He dropped Lees toss on Adam LaRoches ground ball with one out. Dunn, who hadnt allowed a home run in 32 appearances, said he regularly practices the play. "One hundred times. Probably a million times," he said. "Every day. Id like to know when the last time I dropped a ball like that. I dont know if I just took my concentration off for a split second and that was enough for me to drop it. "You can put it on that, but I alsoo had two outs and nobody scored.dddddddddddd To give up six runs with two outs, thats just me letting the team down. We played good enough to win the game and I blew it, plain and simple." Espinosa, who had committed two errors leading to Miami runs, hit his 10th homer of the season over the bullpen in left field. Harper followed with his 10th to make it 10-6. Ryan Mattheus (4-1) pitched 1 2-3 innings for the win. Tyler Clippard allowed a run in the ninth. LaRoche homered twice off Marlins starter Mark Buehrle, giving LaRoche 23 this season. Buehrle hasnt won in four starts. He allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings. Miamis Jose Reyes had three hits, scored four runs and stole two bases. His 23-game hitting streak is tied with the New York Yankees Robinson Cano for the longest in the majors this season. Jordan Zimmermann started for Washington and allowed five runs -- four earned -- and seven hits in five innings. The Marlins broke a 3-3 tie in the fifth. Bryan Petersen led off with a single off Zimmermann, moved to second on Scott Cousins sacrifice, and scored when Espinosa fielded Reyes infield single and threw it away. Reyes stole second and scored on Lees double. Miami scored an unearned run in the seventh when Reyes led off with a walk, stole second, moved to third on an error by Lombardozzi and scored on a squeeze by Donovan Solano. NOTES: The Marlins put 2B Emilio Bonifacio on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb. He reinjured the thumb on Friday. Miami purchased the contract of INF Nick Green from Triple-A New Orleans. ... Marlins INF Donnie Murphy missed his second game with a strained left hamstring. ... Miami OF Giancarlo Stanton, on the DL after right knee surgery, hit a home run in four at-bats in a rehab game with Class-A Jupiter. Guillen expects Stanton back when Miami plays in New York on Tuesday. ... Petersen had a season-high three hits. ... RHP Ricky Nolasco (8-10, 4.90) will pitch for the Marlins on Sunday against RHP Stephen Strasburg (11-5, 3.12).

W s Athletics Canada has fired its two top coaches. Mens Anquan Boldin Jersey For Sale . Head coach Alex Gardiner and chief high performance officer Martin Goulet were let go by track and fields national governing body Wednesday on the heels of Canadas disappointing performance at last summers London Olympics. "I think now especially with dollars being involved, theres accountability and there are performance expectations," Athletics Canadas CEO Rob Guy said in a phone interview from his Ottawa office. "Really were in the performance business, we have objectives for performance, and just like anybody else, we need to meet them. "We get a lot of money to attempt to win medals, and when we dont do that, we need to look at ways as to how we get better." Canada had set a target of three athletics medals in London but fell short, coming away with just one -- Derek Drouins bronze in high jump. Canadas 4x100-metre relay team briefly celebrated what they thought was a bronze medal in London before they were disqualified after Jared Connaughton stepped on the line on the third leg. Canadas Paralympic track and field team brought home nine medals, missing its target of 14. Goulet received the news upon his return from vacation, and said it came as a big blow. Goulet, a coach for 36 years and a full-time Athletics Canada employee for 12, said its difficult to gauge performance based solely on medals, and noted top-eight finishes show Canada has progressed in the sport. "We are in the high performance business and I certainly accept that," Goulet said. "Everybody who knows me knows how passionate I am about high performance. . . some people have even compared me to a pitbull sometimes. "I have given my heart and my brain to high performance over the last few years. Im ready to take the verdict. Im going to turn the page. Looking forward to some new things." Goulet said hes excited to spend some time with his 16 year-old son and nine-year-old daughter. Gardiner preferred not to comment when reached by The Canadian Press. The Winnipeg native was Canadas head coach at the 2004 Athens Olympics then left Athletics Canada to work for the Canadian Olympic Committee. He returned to Athletics Canada in 2008. Guy hopes to have a head coach in place by mid-March, with the aim being a "different style and leadership structure." "The person needs to be able to communicate effectively with the coaches, to motivate coaches, just to create a culture of performance," Guy said. "Maybe sometimes the message gets a little stale when people have been there for a long time." The team is targeting two medals at this summers world championships in Moscow, and 10 medals at the Paralympic world championships. Chuck Bednarik Eagles Jersey . -- Veronica Felibert left the LPGA Tour event in Canada on Sunday with the intention of trying to qualify Monday for the NW Arkansas Championship. Ray Lewis Ravens Jersey . -- The London Knights and the Shawinigan Cataractes will be coming from opposite directions when they collide in the final of the Mastercard Memorial Cup.http://www.49ersfanstore.com/49ers-Perrish-Cox-Nike-Jersey-If-98.html . -- The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran wide receiver Lee Evans on Sunday and signed sixth-year receiver Demetrius Williams The team also placed third-year wide receiver Taylor Price on injured reserve with a foot injury and signed guard/centre Josh Beekman. Andre Roberts Cardinals Jersey . -- Dustin Tokarski made 30 saves as the Norfolk Admirlas extended their professional record winning streak to 25 games with a 4-1 win over the Binghamton Senators in American Hockey League action on Saturday. Browns Jersey . Hightower, who was returning from knee surgery, was one of 23 players trimmed from the roster as the Redskins head into the regular season opener against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. NEW YORK -- Giancarlo Stantons knee appears to be fine. Jose Reyes hand? No problem. Chris Young and the New York Mets, meanwhile, are stuck in a painful rut at home. Stanton hit two two-run homers, Reyes also connected against his former team and the Miami Marlins routed the struggling Mets 13-0 on Wednesday night, handing New York its ninth straight loss at Citi Field. Reyes extended his hitting streak to a career-high 26 games, the longest in the majors this season. Stanton went deep twice against an ineffective Young and finished with four hits in the All-Star sluggers second game back from right knee surgery. "It was good to get in a little groove there and hit some balls hard back-to-back," Stanton said. "We were all swinging the bat pretty well and we fed off each other and thats what made it work." After going seven games without a home run, Miami hit four in one night to back Nathan Eovaldi (3-7). Greg Dobbs capped the outburst with a two-run shot in the ninth and the Marlins had 13 hits -- nine for extra bases -- in their highest-scoring game this season. Eovaldi somehow worked around six walks in five-plus innings. Hit hard by the Braves in his previous outing, the 22-year-old rookie won for the second time in three starts with the Marlins since they acquired him July 25 in a trade that sent Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers. "I was just able to bear down when I needed to. I was able to make the pitches and get out of jams," Eovaldi said. The Mets went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 in all, one night after leaving 11 runners on base in a 4-2 defeat. Its their longest losing streak at home since another nine-game slide in 2004. The club record is 15 in 2002, according to STATS LLC. New Yorks most recent win at home was July 7 against the Cubs. The Mets have dropped three straight overall and four of five. The only time they had a more lopsided shutout loss at home was a 16-0 blowout by Atlanta at Shea Stadium on July 2, 1999. "We had confidence playing here in the first half," manager Terry Collins said. "Right now theres nothing we can do thats right. So weve just got to cinch up your belts, reach inside, find out what youre made of, find out who wants to compete in the last 50 games of the regular season, and those are the guys you want on your team." Young (3-6) was coming off his best start of the year in San Francisco, but he lasted only 4 1-3 innings this time. He was charged with seven runs, seven hits and three walks, one intentional. Miami goes for a three-game sweep Thursday at noon with Mets nemesis Josh Johnson on the mound against All-Star knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Stanton will be rested as planned, manager Ozzie Guillen said. Playing with a wrap on his sore right hand, Reyes sent a solo shot into the second deck in right field with two outs in the first inning.dddddddddddd He rounded the bases enthusiastically to boos and a few cheers, the same sort of reception hes received during both trips back to Citi Field this season. A four-time All-Star shortstop with the Mets, Reyes left last December to sign a $106 million, six-year contract with the Marlins. "I dont hit too many home runs, but when I hit one you know Im going to enjoy it," he said. "Its always good to get a hit in the first inning. I feel more relaxed after that." Carlos Lee followed with a walk and Stanton lofted a high fly to left-centre, the first of his two home runs that would have stayed in the ballpark before the fences were moved in this season. On the top step of the dugout, an excited Reyes flexed his biceps. "I feel like every time he goes to home plate hes going to hit a home run," Reyes said. "We just need people in front of him to get on base and go from there." Miami broke it open with four runs in the fifth. Justin Ruggiano doubled with one out, Reyes walked and the runners pulled off a smart double steal immediately after a mound visit by pitching coach Dan Warthen. Lee looped a two-run single over a drawn-in infield and Stanton lined a 2-2 slider to left for his 21st home run. The ball hit high off the 16-foot Great Wall of Flushing behind the shorter fence that was erected this year. "The first one I thought, no chance. But the second one I got pretty good," Stanton said. Stanton also ripped a double and a single, one night after he had a sacrifice fly in his return from the disabled list. Asked how his knee was feeling, he smiled and said: "Terrible." "Hes still learning how to hit. This kid is going to be fun to watch," Guillen said. Bryan Petersen added a bases-loaded triple in a four-run eighth, a ball that got past a tumbling Andres Torres in medium left-centre. Marlins second baseman Nick Green made a tough pickup to start a nifty double play in the sixth. NOTES: Reyes right hand has been bothering him since he was jammed by Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez last weekend. The switch-hitter said several cutters from Mets LHP Jonathon Niese made it worse Tuesday night, and the hand swelled up. But its only a problem when he bats right-handed. "Its OK. A little swelling. Good enough to be on the field," Reyes said. ... Johnson, coming off a stellar outing against Washington, is 8-1 with a 2.59 ERA in 15 starts against the Mets. ... New York LHP Johan Santana felt good after his bullpen session and is ready to come off the DL on Saturday night against Atlanta, Collins said. ... Reyes is 3-for-19 at Citi Field this year.

W s ST. Trent Cole Eagles Jersey . LOUIS -- Kyle Lohse is on quite a roll, and it comes at an opportune time for the right-hander and the St. Louis Cardinals. Lohse pitched seven innings of three-hit ball to earn his seventh consecutive win and the Cardinals beat the Houston Astros 4-2 on Wednesday night. Lohse (13-2), who could become a free agent after this season, gave up two runs and retired his last 14 batters. He is 7-0 with a 2.21 ERA in 12 starts since he dropped a 3-2 decision against Kansas City on June 15. "I felt really good," he said. "I felt in command." The Cardinals have won consecutive games to grab a half-game lead on Pittsburgh for the second wild-card spot in the National League. St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said he is not immune to scoreboard watching at this time of the year. "Were fans of the game," he said. "We do pay attention. We try not to look up there too often because we do believe we control our destiny by how we play the game. "But it would be a lie to say we didnt pay attention to what other people in the league are doing." Mitchell Boggs worked the eighth and Jason Motte finished for his 29th save in 34 chances, completing a three-hitter. Allen Craig extended his hitting streak to a career-best 11 games with a first-inning single and scored a run for St. Louis. Jon Jay, Daniel Descalso and Yadier Molina each drove in a run. Jay also helped save the game with a leaping catch at the wall on a drive by Brett Wallace with one out in the sixth. "He just did everything right," Matheny said of Jay. "Hes just an impressive player. Hes aggressive out there, and fun to watch." Wallace and Chris Snyder homered for the Astros, who are winless in three games under interim manager Tony DeFrancesco. Houston, which dropped to 12-50 on the road, has lost six straight and is just 7-42 since June 28. Bud Norris (5-11) allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings to fall to 0-10 with a 6.78 ERA in his last 14 starts. "I didnt have my best slider tonight but I worked both sides of the plate with my fastball and tried to make some pitches," Norris said. "They snuck a couple across and they got the win." Wallace went deep in the first and Snyder connected in the third to give the Astros a 2-1 lead. In his previous three starts in August, Lohse had allowed a single run in 19 2-3 innings of work. "I threw a slider trying to throw it on Wallaces hands and it broke straight down and kind of right on his bat," Lohse said. "That was a mistake. Then I left one up for Snyder. Other than that, I felt like I made my pitches." St. Louis went ahead for good in the fifth. Rafael Furcal hit a leadoff single, moved up on Lohses sacrifice and scored on Jays single to right. Jay eventually scampered home on a wild pitch to make it 3-2. Molina singled in Matt Holliday in the eighth. NOTES: Jake Westbrook (12-9) will pitch for the Cardinals in the series finale against Dallas Keuchel (1-5). St. Louis announced a $9.75 million, one-year contract with Westbrook on Tuesday that includes a mutual option for 2014. ... Houstons Jose Altuve had a double to give him 139 hits, tops among second baseman in the NL. ... Lohse had not allowed two home runs in a game since a 10-7 loss against Atlanta on May 30. Ray Lewis Ravens Jersey . - Swedens Jonas Blixt won the Frys. John Greco Browns Jersey .C. Uniteds 3-2 over the New England Revolution on Saturday night. Dejan Jakovic and Brandon McDonald scored in the first half for United (8-4-3). http://www.chiefsfanstore.com/Chiefs-Eric-Berry-Nike-Jersey-Pb-90.html . Numbers Game looks at the deals sending Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence to the National League West. The Dodgers Get: CF Shane Victorino. Victorino, 31, has been a reliable contributor for the Phillies throughout his career, but this years . Geno Hayes Jaguars Jersey . The owners that will take part in the meeting are Jeremy Jacobs of the Boston Bruins, Ronald Burkle of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mark Chipman of the Winnipeg Jets, Jeffery Vinik of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Murray Edwards of the Calgary Flames and Larry Tanenbaum of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Robert Ayers Broncos Jersey .Y. -- The first round of this weeks Champions Tour tournament has been suspended due to rain.NICE, France -- She was shopping for a pairs partner, he was just interested in doing a little shopping. Narumi Takahashi and Regina-born Mervin Tran captured Japans first-ever world pairs medal, finishing third at the world figure skating championships Friday. The two have trained in Montreal under Canadian coaches Richard Gauthier and Bruno Marcotte since Takahashi coaxed Tran east with the promise of shopping. "She called him and said Would you like to do pairs?" said Gauthier. "He said, Uh, not really. She said, How about shopping in Montreal? Oh yeah, then Ill go. "So he came for shopping really, and then he enjoyed the atmosphere and thats how they started. The two of them, perfect for each other." The 21-year-old Tran is the son of Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees, and has no familial ties to Japan. Competing for another country is not uncommon in the figure skating, and in pairs and ice dance, only one skater needs to be a citizen of the country the team is representing. Kaitlyn Weaver, for example, who finished fourth for Canada in ice dancing with Andrew Poje, is from the U.S. The one exception is the Olympics, where both skaters must be citizens of the country they represent. Tran cant compete at the 2014 Sochi Games for Japan unless he becomes a Japanese citizen, which would require giving up his Canadian citizenship. He said Friday, hell make a statement about the Olympics following the World Team Trophy next month, wwhich marks the end of the competitive season.dddddddddddd "Were not there yet," Marcotte said. "Theres a lot of things to consider, its a big life decision. But who knows? The focus for this year was really to do a much better season than last year, and they did. I guess at the end of the year, theyll talk about it, but I dont know. Right now I feel more like celebrating." Gauthier originally met Takahashi in China, where she expressed her desire to move to Montreal to train. She made the move three years later, and then began the task of finding her a pairs partner. Gauthier said Tran was ideal because he was Asian. "For the look, it would look nicer," the coach said. Takahashi and Tran, whose girlfriend is Canadian womens singles skater Amelie Lacoste, executed an almost flawless program to "Concierto de Quebec," Tran lifting the tiny four-foot-nine Takahashi off her feet and spinning her in circles after the music stopped. "Im extremely happy," Tran said. "Im very proud to represent Japan for pairs. Theyve supported us from the beginning where it was not so smooth, until this point now ... Im very happy and proud to win this medal for Japan." Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany won the gold, while Russias Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov claimed silver. Canadas Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford were fifth, while teammates Jessica Dube and Sebastien Wolfe were 12th.

W s LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. Whitney Mercilus Texans Jersey . -- Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has reported no problems with his surgically repaired left knee after taking batting practice Tuesday. Jones, who is on the 15-day disabled list following arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus, estimated he took "50 to 60" swings before the Braves played their minor league All-Stars in an exhibition at Triple-A Gwinnett. Jones took about 20 grounders to keep his fielding sharp, but the balls were hit right at him to keep him from trying to move laterally. Jones, who turns 40 later this month, still hopes to return for Atlantas home opener April 13 against Milwaukee. The 1999 NL MVP announced plans two weeks ago to retire at the end of the season. He was injured on March 22 at spring training. Mike Tolbert Jersey . Nobody at Target Field was cheering louder at the end than his teammates. Justin Morneaus tying double in the eighth inning set up Capps for another dramatic save in the ninth, and the Twins rallied past Oakland for a 5-4 victory on Monday, a season-high sixth straight loss for the Athletics. Brandon Brooks Texans Jersey . Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton didnt play in the three-game series because of a stiff back, while third baseman Adrian Beltre missed the final two contests of the series, except for one pinch-hit appearance Tuesday, because of soreness in his legs blamed on the Rogers Centres artificial turf. http://www.patriotsfanstore.com/Patriots-Kevin-Faulk-Nike-Jersey-Ph-96.html . Nelson also said that Nugent-Hopkins will decide by next Monday whether or not he will play for Team Canada at the upcoming World Junior Championship. "It is contingent on his health. Thomas Davis Jersey . -- Jordan Younger and his teammates have taken the issue of addressing the Toronto Argonauts penalty woes into their own hands. Terrance Knighton Broncos Jersey . He took a line drive off his leg and had to be helped off the field.PHILADELPHIA -- Andrew Bynums debut with the Philadelphia 76ers is on hold again. General manager Tony DiLeo said Saturday that Bynum is out indefinitely and theres no timetable set for his first game. The All-Star centre was acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-team trade before the season. "We dont know when hell be back," DiLeo said. "Only Andrews body can answer that question. When he feels better, we can step up the rehab program. We just have to wait to see how he reacts to the rehab." Bynum had been recovering from a bone bruise on his right knee and the Sixers were hoping he would be cleared to return to basketball activities by Dec. 10. But he injured his left knee while bowling two weeks ago and now his return has been pushed back four times since the beginning of training camp. "I want to emphasize that we have been forthcoming and consistent with the information," DiLeo said. "Weve said all along that we need some patience and that this is a hard-to-predict healing process. Andrew, how his body reacts is the indicator in how and when he can take the next step in his rehab program." DiLeo said Bynum has "bilateral bone bruises and a weakened cartilage state" in his knees. Still, DiLeo defended the trade that sent All-Star forward Andre Iguodala to Denver in the multi-team deal.dddddddddddd. The Sixers are 7-5 in their first 12 games, entering Saturday nights matchup against Oklahoma City. "We want to put this behind us now and focus on the rest of our team," DiLeo said. "We dont know when hes coming back, but we have a good team out there. We have a great coaching staff thats doing a great job. Were playing hard every night and we just want to focus on the team going forward." Bynum, 25, is in the final year of his contract and could sign a five-year deal worth more than $100 million in the off-season, if hes healthy. But his uncertain status could be costing the 7-footer millions. "We are in charge of his rehab and right now hes just doing low-impact rehab things," DiLeo said. "We are doing everything possible, leaving no stone unturned in consulting with the best experts in the world. Were looking into his rehab program, talking to doctors. Were doing everything possible to get him back on the court because we want to see that and our fans want to see that." Bynum won two NBA titles in seven seasons with the Lakers. The Sixers were hoping he could help them become one of the leagues elite teams.

W s TORONTO -- The players on the Canadian womens soccer team set a lofty goal this season, but it was about much more than winning an Olympic medal. Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals Jersey . They wanted to inspire a generation of young women coming after them. The Canadians captured a bronze medal at the London Games -- the countrys first Olympic medal in a traditional team sport since 1936 -- with a spirited performance that tugged on the heartstrings of Canadian fans, and laid down the footsteps for so many little girls to follow. The team was honoured for its spectacular season by being named The Canadian Press Team of the Year for 2012 in voting by sports editors and broadcasters across the country. "The girls knew, even before going into this, they were committed to moving this country to another level," said coach John Herdman. "It wasnt the bronze that was driving them, it was the legacy for themselves and for this country that drove them through. It sounds corny, but its not." The womens soccer team received 228 points, including the majority of first-place votes (68), to run away with the honour that was first awarded in 1966. The Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts were second with 99 points, ahead of the mens eight rowing team and womens hockey team -- tied with 43 points apiece -- and Glenn Howards mens curling rink (41). "Canadas first team medal in the Summer Olympics in 76 years could easily have been gold or silver," said Sean Rooney of the Medicine Hat News. "Yet after suffering through the disappointment of their semifinal loss to the U.S., Canadas women made the country proud with their ability to come back with a thrilling bronze medal victory. "Its their emotion and perseverance that made them heroes." No-one could have predicted the drama that would play out on sports biggest stage in London. The beleaguered Canadians were coming off a last-place showing at the 2011 World Cup. Herdman was brought in to pick up the pieces. The first sign of what would be a remarkable turnaround came at the Pan American Games, when Canada defeated Brazil for gold. Once in London, the Canadians clinched their spot in the quarter-finals with a 2-2 draw with Sweden, and topped host Britain 2-0 to set up their semifinal showdown against the archrival Americans. Then, in what will go down as one of the most memorable games in this countrys soccer history, captain Christine Sinclair struck for three goals in Canadas 4-3 heartbreaking semifinal loss to the Americans -- a controversial result that took 123 minutes to decide and wound up getting Sinclair suspended for four games for a post-game "incident." In the bronze-medal match, Diana Matheson scored in the 92nd minute to provide a stunning end to a game that saw the French utterly dominate a weary Canadian side. And in a year that saw Canadas mens team crash out of World Cup qualifying in spectacular fashion, the women gained a country full of fans. "I think our womens program transcends gender, to be honest with you," said Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani. "Just the amount of emotion that is attached to this team. Its not just Christine, the team is deep with character." Its been an emotional four months since the players returned home from London, as theyve seen in the faces of fans who know all their names just how big an impact theyve had. "Its something weve all embraced and I think we understand that this is what we wanted, we wanted to bring home an Olympic medal, we wanted to change the sport within Canada," said Sinclair, who won the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award on Thursday as Canadas Female Athlete of the Year. She and some of her teammates have been conducting camps across the country since returning home. "We think its very important because when we were growing up we didnt have female soccer players to look up to. I looked up to baseball players, other teammates looked up to hockey players," said Sinclair, who still wears No. 12 for her favourite athlete growing up, former Toronto Blue Jays star Roberto Alomar. "Ive been a primary school teacher back in the day," said Herdman. "I love working with kids. So its great to actually be able to start having a little bit more influence on the younger generation." Veteran goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc said fans young and old have come up to say "hi", pose for a picture, or ask for an autograph literally every day since they returned to Canada. "Every time we put on that jersey for Canada its an honour," said LeBlanc. "The next time we put on that jersey, were going to know for sure that the country were representing is the best country in the world. Coming home with the bronze medal and being treated the way Canada has treated us, its bigger than gold, its better than gold, and its inspiring us to be better. "So the best way to sum up this year is just to thank Canada for making us feel so special and making us fall in love again with playing for them and playing the sport that we love." Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Broncos Jersey . -- Darren Mattocks scored in the 43rd minute to lift the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night. Dion Lewis Browns Jersey . There are some candidates that immediately jump out as all-but-unanimous picks and that list includes four-time Stanley Cup winner and two-time Olympic champion Scott Niedermayer, three-time Stanley Cup and Norris Trophy winner Chris Chelios and Brendan Shanahan, who won three Stanley Cups and scored more than 600 goals and 1,300 points over his 21-year career.http://www.patriotsfanstore.com/Patriots-Julian-Edelman-Nike-Jersey-Jc-31.html . ANNES, England -- Its rare to see Tiger Woods hit iron off the tee on a par 5, except in links golf, and especially at Royal Lytham & St. Miles Austin Cowboys Jersey . The Redskins can end their prolonged drought of not winning one of the toughest divisions in football with a victory over the rival Dallas Cowboys Sunday night from FedEx Field. With so much on the line for both teams, the game was flexed to the primetime slot and will surely garner high ratings. Brandon Pettigrew Lions Jersey . Stafford threw one interception and didnt help Detroit score a point in his three drives, and the Cleveland Browns took advantage in a 19-17 win over the Lions on Friday night.NEW YORK -- NFL Films President Steve Sabol, half of the father-son team that revolutionized sports broadcasting and mythologized pro football into the countrys favourite sport, died Tuesday from brain cancer. He was 69. In March 2011, Sabol was diagnosed with a tumour on the left side of his brain after being hospitalized for a seizure. He started working with his father, Ed -- NFL Films founder -- in 1964, and they introduced a series of innovations now taken for granted today, from slow-motion replays to sticking microphones on coaches and players. "Steve Sabol was the creative genius behind the remarkable work of NFL Films," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement from the league confirming Sabols death. "Steves passion for football was matched by his incredible talent and energy. Steves legacy will be part of the NFL forever. He was a major contributor to the success of the NFL, a man who changed the way we look at football and sports, and a great friend." Ed Sabol was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year. The two received the Lifetime Achievement Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2003. Steve Sabol has also received the Pete Rozelle Award, presented each year to someone who made an outstanding contribution to professional football.dddddddddddd In 2007, the Hall of Fame honoured him with the Dan Reeves Pioneer Award. "We see the game as art as much as sport," he told The Associated Press before his fathers Hall induction. "That helped us nurture not only the games traditions but to develop its mythology: Americas Team, The Catch, The Frozen Tundra." Sabol received 35 Emmys for writing, cinematography, editing, directing and producing. No one else had ever earned that many Emmys in as many different categories. He began his career as a cinematographer under his father. He was the perfect fit for the job: an all-Rocky Mountain Conference running back at Colorado College majoring in art history. The Sabols treated sport as film and changed the way Americans watched and perceived games. Their advances included everything from reverse angle replays to setting highlights to pop music. "Today of course those techniques are so common its hard to imagine just how radical they once were," the younger Sabol told the AP last year. "Believe me, it wasnt always easy getting people to accept them, but I think it was worth the effort."

W s SAN FRANCISCO -- Two-time defending champion Japan and Cuba will face off in the first round of pool play in next years World Baseball Classic. Tom Jackson Broncos Jersey . Home-field advantage: Japan. Japan will host first and second rounds of pool play at two sites in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, which features a new qualifying format rather than the invitation-only system of the first two events. The top 12 nations from the last WBC were already in, then the other four determined from 28 teams through qualifying. The WBC winner will be named world champion for the first time. The first round games for Pool A will be held in Fukuoka from March 2-6 with Japan, China, Cuba and a qualifier to be determined. The second round moves to the Tokyo Dome. "Cuba was a good fit in Japan," WBC President Paul Archey said. "We have more games in Asia. Somebody is going to have to go to Asia and play." The WBC announced its venues and pools Tuesday outside the Giants AT&T Park, which will host the semifinals and championship game in the events third run. Two more qualifying teams are still to be determined in November, with rosters scheduled to be announced Dec. 3 at the baseball winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn. Players will be subject to drug testing by the World Anti-Doping Agency. San Juan, Puerto Rico, will host games for the third time at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Those games will be played March 7-10 featuring Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and a qualifier. The Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field and the clubs shared Scottsdale spring training facility with the Rockies, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, hosts Pool D games between the U.S., Italy, Mexico and a qualifier. "It would help to have the U.S. in the final game, which he havent had yet," Archey said. Taichung, Taiwan, will stage the event for the first time. Those games at Intercontinental Stadium will be in Pool B from Mary 2-5, featuring Australia, Korea, the Netherlands and a qualifier. Two qualifying nations were determined in recent days, though they are yet to be placed in a pool because the WBC must learn the other two participants and then seed all four qualifiers for the best competitive balance. Spain earned a spot by beating Israel in extra innings Sunday in Jupiter, Fla., while Canada defeated Germany on Monday to secure a place in the tournament. Still in contention to reach the 16-team pool for March are Panama, Colombia, Nicaragua and Brazil in one qualifying tournament, and Taiwan, the Philippines, New Zealand and Thailand. The inaugural 2006 Classic featured a pool play format, while 2009 was double-elimination -- and the next one will be a combination of both. The first round will be pool play, with the top two teams advancing. The second round is double-elimination, and the top two teams will reach the semifinals. Riccardo Fraccari, president of the International Baseball Federation, announced the WBC winner will now be crowned world champion -- a title that in the past was determined through World Cup play. Giants CEO Larry Baer said his franchise had twice tried to become a WBC host for the final two rounds. San Diego hosted the first WBC and then Los Angeles Dodger Stadium in 09. "They really put a great package together and showed a passion for getting it and a lot of energy, so their efforts were rewarded," Archey said. "Its a great city. Its an international city. Theyve obviously had a tremendous amount of success filling this ballpark and on the baseball field since the last Classic. That just made a great fit." The World Baseball Classic "reflects the international flavour of our city in many ways," said Mayor Ed Lee, who hopes for an economic impact of more than $100 million. A huge blue World Baseball Classic poster hangs from AT&T Park outside along the right field area. "I must say the WBC sign makes the stadium look pretty," said Felipe Alou, former San Francisco skipper who managed the Dominican WBC team in 2009. "It also makes our beautiful stadium look prettier. Im 100 per cent for the World Classic. ... Im pretty sure the third Classic is going to be even better than the second Classic. Im with this until the end." Mens Steve Young Jersey For Sale . 11 before Saturdays game against the St. Louis Cardinals, paying tribute to the Hall of Fame shortstop who led them to the 1990 World Series title. Alan Ball Jaguars Jersey . Cole admitted bringing the game into disrepute when he reacted angrily last Friday to an FA commission questioning the evidence he gave in defending teammate John Terry against a charge of racially abusing an opponent.http://www.houstontexanfansstore.com/Texans-Duane-Brown-Nike-Jersey-Hk-38.html . Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer that landed on Waveland Avenue and Rizzo added a solo shot, helping Chris Volstad and the Cubs beat the weary Giants 6-4 on Friday. Mens Charles Tillman Jersey For Sale . China, who have aimed a second-phase slot of the tournament, were overpowered by the French spikers on their way to a disheartening loss of 25-17, 25-20, 25-19. Mens Adam Snyder Jersey For Sale . -- Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver left his start against the Yankees in the first inning Monday night after just 12 pitches with excruciating lower back pain.BERLIN -- Hannover substitute Adrian Nikci scored a late goal three minutes into his Bundesliga debut to earn his side a 2-2 draw with Schalke on Sunday. "Im very happy to help the team," the Swiss youth international said. "It was a good start." Brazilian defender Felipe opened the scoring in the 43rd minute for Hannover, before last seasons leading scorer, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, drew the visitors level with a great individual effort in the 52nd. Lewis Holtby put Schalke ahead 12 minutes later, only for Nikci -- who had just replaced the injured Felipe -- to score with his first touch of the ball with 10 minutes remaining. "I was happy to see the team come back after it was 2-1, especially as the players still had a game in their legs from Thursday," said Hannover coach Mirko Slomka, referring to his sides 5-3 win at Slask Wroclaw in the first leg of their Europa League playoff. "And because Schalke were showing such dominance on the pitch." Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler kept Schalke at bay in a scrappy first half, with saves from Kyriakos Papadopoulos aand Ciprian Marica.dddddddddddd. Felipe was unmarked to head Christian Panders free kick beyond Schalke goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand. Hannover began the second half by pushing forward, but Huntelaar -- who scored 29 league goals last season -- scored on a counterattack by eluding Felipe and then unleashing a fierce shot past Zieler to the bottom corner. Only Zielers great reaction speed denied Holtby from making it 2-1 shortly afterward, but the 21-year-old Schalke midfielder took his second chance when Jermaine Jones crossed for him to score a rare headed goal. Felipes afternoon ended prematurely when the defender was forced off with an injury picked up during a Schalke corner, but his replacement came on to slide between two Schalke defenders to meet Jan Schlaudraffs cross and score from close range. "We played well but werent rewarded for all the good chances we created," said Schalke coach Huub Stevens. On Friday, defending champion Borussia Dortmund opened the season with a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen, while Bayern Munich won 3-0 at promoted Greuther Fuerth the next day.

W s COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The legend of Johnny Football has grown all season while Johnny Manziel piled up yards and the Texas A&M Aggies piled up wins. Broncos T-shirts . On Monday, the freshman quarterback finally weighed in on his catchy nickname as he spoke to the media for the first time all season. "I think a lot of people here in Aggieland enjoy it," he said. "But I find it extremely funny." The success of Manziel and the Aggies is no joke. His 4,600 yards of total offence have helped No. 10 A&M to its first 10-win season since 1998, and has him among the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Manziel said he respected coach Kevin Sumlins decision for him not to speak to the media this season because hes a freshman. But says hes happy to have a chance to talk about this season. "Its kind of nice now to be able to kind of let you guys know how I am a little bit more," he said. "Theres so many question marks out there." Sumlin, who is in his first year at A&M after four seasons at Houston, raved about Manziel and said he was a catalyst for what his team was able to do in its first season in the Southeastern Conference. "Hes a tremendous competitor and a tremendous leader, and thats something that you really dont see in a player as a redshirt freshman," Sumlin said. "His leadership on and off the field throughout the season has made our season a real successful one." Manziel has thrown for 3,419 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 1,181 yards and 19 more scores in a regular-season the Aggies capped with five straight wins including an upset of then top-ranked Alabama. He is second in the nation in total offence and broke Cam Newtons SEC record for total offence in a season on Saturday. The quarterback is a bit surprised at how well Texas A&M did in its transition from the Big 12. "I dont think I ever really envisioned how big this season would be for us," he said. "I dont really think anybody envisioned that we would win 10 games at the beginning of this season and that we would all have so much success as a team." The celebrity status has been shocking to Manziel, who will turn 20 two days before the Dec. 8 Heisman announcement. Hes still surprised when people approach him at restaurants and other places around College Station to ask for photos and autographs, even though its become a daily occurrence. "Im a small-town kid," he said. "I come from Kerrville, Texas and I still see myself that way. I dont see myself as Johnny Football, I still see myself as Jonathan Manziel, a small town guy from Kerrville who is extremely fortunate and extremely blessed to be able to play football here at A&M." He seemed amused by the attention given to some online photos of him at a Halloween party dressed as Scooby Doo alongside some beautiful and scantily-clad young women. "That Halloween night was something where a lot of guys on the team dressed up and kind of just wanted to get away from all the seriousness and the grind that is college football season and go out and be kids again and dress up and just have fun," he said, without specifically addressing the pictures. Manziel said winning the Heisman is something he dreamed about as a child, but that he hasnt spent a lot of time worrying about it or any other awards. No freshman has ever won the award given to college footballs most outstanding player. "I feel like that situation will play itself out, and whatevers meant to be will happen," he said. "Im just doing whatever coach Sumlin and them ask me to do ... so we can take care of things in a bowl game." But Manziel did admit that when he was younger hed play college football video games and build a quarterback that would win the award as a freshman. Funny thing is, the players he made rarely resembled his 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame. "When I created a video game player I probably made him 6-6, probably 230 pounds," he said. "I definitely didnt make him my size. But Ive played so many video games maybe a few times I did. But typically I would have made him look something like Cam Newton." Newton was the last SEC winner of the Heisman, picking it up in 2010. If Manziel comes away with the award, maybe somewhere in a small Texas town like the one he grew up in, a young boy will build a football player on his video game that does look like the A&M star. Manziel has trouble grasping the whirlwind this season has been for him, and considers himself lucky to have had the opportunity to be in the position hes in now. "This season has been incredibly surreal," he said. "Its beyond my wildest imagination. Its a true testament to how this team has grown every week, because without these guys none of my individual success would be anything." Panthers Jersey . Indians vice president Bob DiBiasio says Dolan was taken to the hospital Wednesday and will remain there for observation. Marcus Allen Chiefs Jersey . -- The Portland Trail Blazers have formally extended a qualifying offer to forward Nicolas Batum. http://www.brownsfanstore.com/Browns-Oniel-Cousins-Nike-Jersey-Pe-59.html . After missing two games and the All-Star game because of tendinitis in his left knee, Johnson returned to lead Atlanta with 18 points in Wednesday nights 85-82 loss to Golden State. Kelechi Osemele Ravens Jersey . The chatter means little to the 24-year-old Leafs goaltender. Refreshed and finally healthy, an upbeat Reimer is intent on reclaiming the starting job in Toronto, anxious to erase the memories of an injury-stained second season. Josh Gordon Browns Jersey . In an attempt to hype their next fight, IBF World Champion Paulie Malignaggi was also featured on the Hatton card, as the two are scheduled to meet later this year. Like Hatton, Malignaggi is, in my opinion, on the comeback trail as well.MILWAUKEE -- Jay Bruce and the Cincinnati Reds needed just 11 pitches to spoil Marco Estrada strong first three innings. Bruce hit a three-run home run to cap a five-run fourth, leading the Reds to a 6-1 victory over the Brewers on Monday night. Estrada (0-2) used 43 pitches to set the Reds down in order each of the first three innings, but gave up five runs in just 11 pitches to open the fourth. "Its like a feeding frenzy," Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said of his teams quick outburst. Bronson Arroyo (2-1) pitched solidly into the seventh inning, only giving up a homer to Ryan Braun in the first -- the NL MVPs ninth. The right-hander was tough the rest of the way, giving up six hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings. Bruces ninth home run extended his hitting streak to 10 games and gave the Reds a comfortable lead against Estrada. "The first time around he obviously cruised," said Bruce, who is batting .405 (15 for 37) with six home runs and 12 RBIs during the streak. "We got him in the zone a little better the next time around and put some good swings on some balls. We can hit as a team. Were a good hitting team." Arroyo exited with two on and two outs in the seventh, but reliever Logan Ondrusek got Norichika Aoki to fly out to short right field to end the inning. Cincinnati has won six of eight and is 3-1 in a stretch where it will play 13 of 16 on the road. Milwaukee has lost five of six, scoring only 12 runs in that span. Aoki went 0 for 4 and the Brewers leadoff hitters are batting .162 (18 for 111) this year. The Brewers played hours after learning that shortstop Alex Gonzalez tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Saturday and will miss the rest of the season. Milwaukees first baseman Mat Gamel (torn ACL in right knee) and fifth starter Chris Narveson (torn left rotator cuff) are also out with season-ending injuries. "It was a different lineup than what you expect against these guys, with the amount of guys they had hurt," Arroyo said. "I didnt have a lot of reps against ffour or five of those guys, so I was feeling my way through the game.dddddddddddd" Estrada, making his third start in place of Narveson, pitched seven innings, giving up five runs on eight hits with five strikeouts. He retired the first nine batters he faced before falling apart in the fourth. "He threw a great game except for that inning," Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. "I dont know why were having those tough innings, but he threw the ball really well the rest of the game." Zack Cozart hit his third home run on the first pitch of the fourth inning to tie the score 1-all. Drew Stubbs then hit Estradas next pitch off the centre field wall for a double. Joey Votto went into an 0-2 hole, but hit the sixth pitch from Estrada down the right field line for a double, scoring Stubbs and giving the Reds a 2-1 lead. Brandon Phillips followed with a first-pitch single to right, moving Votto to third. Bruce then hit a 1-0 pitch deep onto the right-centre field concourse, giving the Reds a 5-1 lead. "Its like boom, boom, boom, boom," Baker said. "Its the game of baseball. You go to the bathroom and come back, there could be four or five runs on the board. Thats how quickly it happens." Milwaukee put runners on second and third with no outs in the fourth, and loaded the bases with two outs in the inning. Cesar Izturis, starting in place of Gonzalez, popped out to end the inning. "Getting out of that fourth inning was huge," Arroyo said. "It changed the whole momentum of the game." Pinch-hitter Miguel Cairos ground-rule double scored Chris Heisey from second to make it 6-1 in the ninth. NOTES: The victory was Bakers 1,499th. He is 1,499-1,380, 20th all-time for wins by a manager. ... Before the game, the Reds activated INF Cairo from the 15-day DL and outrighted Willie Harris to Triple-A Louisville. The transaction removes Harris from the 40-man roster. He can refuse the assignment and become a free agent, or he has 72 hours to report to Louisville. ... Cozart has a five-game hitting streak.

W s The NBA Finals are here! Well have all the action right here on TSN. Sam Koch Ravens Jersey . Make sure you join us for our TSN Pre-Game shows an hour prior to each game. Enjoy! 1. Smaller NBA Markets (OKC): Nice to see a small market like OKC host the NBA Finals. Based upon all the rhetoric during the NBA lockout, the desire was to equalize the playing field and, based upon a more punitive salary cap and luxury tax system, eliminate the idea of a few destination markets dominating the scene. As a fan of that philosophy, Im hopeful in the years to come we have a leveling of the haves and have-nots. The Big Three in Miami is a big sports story and helps TV ratings/interest but, in my opinion, the long-term health and growth of the game depends on each market having hope and the best owned, managed and coached teams win. Under more small market/unfriendly cap/luxury tax provisions, markets like San Antonio and Utah have found a way to have long-term success and now the Thunder are showing the way. The quality of your support and decisions/leadership will define basketball success more and more in the years to come, not just being in a sexy market. Lets hope thats what defines organizations. 2. Chris Bosh (Heat): Good for him. He came through. His minutes built from Games #5-7 and his presence on the floor was a huge boost to the success of the Heat. Bottom line, hes a very skilled and accomplished player (not a top 10 guy but a very good player) and the Celtics had to gear in on him that much more as his minutes built and the Miami offence became that much more functional. He was huge in the fourth Quarter in Game #7 and for the Heat to have a chance to beat OKC, they need him right. Hes a solid team defender and a reliable team guy within your offensive schemes. 3. Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett (Celtics): Im sorry, you show your class in both victory and defeat and, as competitive as any person can and should be, you hold your head high during the good times and bad if you know in your heart you gave it your all. Rondo and Garnett were excellent players and competitors during the playoffs and I appreciate their disappointment/anger in defeat but show some class and set the right example as a sportsmen and congratulate your opponent on the floor after the game like Ray Allen and Paul Pierce did. Show some class; that was bush league leaving the floor before the game ended and not shaking hands. Grow up! 4. Raptors Small Forward Spot: Rumours about Rudy Gay and Andre Igulodala (funny, actually NOT funny at all, Raps used their #8 pick on you know who - Hoffa! and the Sixers took AI with the ninth and now were hearing rumors of the Raptors putting their 8th Pick in play) dont surprise me in the least. The Raptors need to upgrade their 3-spot and get a starting-type player in place to add scoring punch and overall offensive polish to that position. I said it before and Ill say it again, the Raps will be aggressive this off-season using any/all means to improve their team for the short/long term. New MLSE ownership coming in at some point this summer if all the Is get dotted and Ts crossed and not only is the Bell/Rogers purchase a business investment but I also see it as a passion buy as well. Its one thing to have ratings/control of content but in order for that money to get a major return, you need to start seeing Ws. Brian Burke, that eighth playoff spot that the LA Kings have right now doesnt look too bad after all and the scrutiny will increase on the basketball side as well. President/GM Bryan Colangelo has been rightfully given the tools and the needed support to turn this around. The coming months will create the dynamics for change/success if the right moves are made. Cant wait to watch all of this unfold. 5. NBA Finals Pick (Heat vs. Thunder): - Watching these two teams play every game in the playoffs and a bunch during the regular season, I like the Thunder slightly over the Heat. Why? Bottom line, I like how OKC is playing offensively with poise, composure and purpose and their defence is improving. Their big men (Kendrick Perkins/Serge Ibaka/Nick Collison) have really picked their games up and I like the force/toughness they play with. The Thunder have home-court advantage and their fans are dramatically more charged up and aware of what theyre actually watching and will make it difficult for the Heat. Really a coin flip but weve got a terrific Finals to watch and I think it will go the distance with the Thunder having a bit more in terms of impact/answers beyond their Big Three. Nothing too scientific to my pick here, more of a gut feel after working through all the analytical variables in my mind (What little is in there!!). Sometimes you have to trust your emotional instincts. Hope Im right; want the small market to get the title. Either way, we all win because it should be a wonderful series. Mens Mike Ditka Jersey For Sale . The Canadian men open play Friday in Pool D against Australia, France and the U.S. "On paper, its a good draw," Canadian sevens coach Geraint John said Thursday. Mens Brian Urlacher Jersey For Sale . -- With two words, Jay Cutler dismissed the notion that the Green Bay Packers would be able to disrupt the Chicago Bears new-look wide receiver corps with physical play: Good luck. http://www.houstontexanfansstore.com/Texans-Whitney-Mercilus-Nike-Jersey-Xg-99.html . Four years ago, Rosario caught a game-winning touchdown pass as time expired to lift Carolina over the San Diego Chargers. Levi Brown Cardinals Jersey . -- The Toronto Argonauts will be minus one of their defensive leaders this weekend when they open training camp. Mens Tyronne Green Jersey . Today, the Calgary Stampeders. On Wednesday, The Rouge asked if the Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts had what it takes to sustain their 2012 success next season and beyond. TORONTO -- Chad Kackert ran through, around and over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday. The sophomore running back rushed for a career-best 172 yards and three touchdowns to power the Toronto Argonauts past the Tiger-Cats 45-31 at Rogers Centre to sweep their Labour Day series. It was quite a coming-out party for the five-foot-nine, 192-pound Kackert, making just his fourth start of the season since starter Cory Boyd was released last month. His 43-yard TD run opened the scoring in the first but it was Kackerts acrobatic 11-yard touchdown scamper at 2:36 of the fourth that cemented the win for the Argos (6-4). Kackert, playing with sore legs from continually being hit, launched himself into the air at about the three-yard line before landing out of bounds. He was credited with the TD following the Argos successful challenge that put them ahead 35-17. Kackert brought the generously announced gathering of 23,061 with the roof closed to its feet with a 39-yard touchdown run with just over nine minutes remaining in a game that, while sloppy at times, featured a little bit of everything. "Statistically it was a good performance but the offensive line opened everything up and the gameplan we had as far as the run game went had a lot to do with it," said Kackert. "I didnt have to do a lot of work to get extra yards. "Its not a comfortable position to be working hard all off-season ... but people get their opportunities and I was blessed to have mine and am thankful to prove myself each week." Kackert was a one-man show with 239 total yards. He even outgained receiver/kick-returner Chad Owens, who had a combined 220 yards after registering a club-record 402 yards in Torontos 33-30 win over the slumping Ticats on Monday at Ivor Wynne Stadium. "He played tough, he was banged up a little bit and was able to continue to come back in the game and help us finish it off," said Argos head coach Scott Milanovich. "He was impressive ... I think that (239 total yards) speaks for itself. "On a short week its tough to beat the same team twice. I felt I shouldve called more runs in Hamilton but the wind played a factor. We felt good about our run package, it wasnt different from what we did a week ago but we just utilized it better and Chad did a great job." The score flattered Hamilton (3-7), which has lost five straight and scored two late touchdowns to make it close. The Ticats were often their own worst enemy with 13 penalties for 151 yards, including two roughing-the-passer calls that kept Toronto drives going. Toronto was worse with 18 penalties for 257 yards but still managed to outgain Hamilton (500 yards offensively to 396). The Argos also held Ticats star Chris Williams, who has a CFL-record six return TDs this year and had taken punts back in a league-record three straight games, out of the end zone. "It was embarrassing to come off last weekend, just not acceptable," said Ticats quarterback Henry Burris. "Today was the same. "We made too many mistakes. They did what they expected to do, we didnt." Toronto moved into a first-place tie with Montreal (6-4) in the East Division after the Alouettes lost 43-10 at the hands of the defending Grey Cup-champion B.C. Lions later Saturday in Vancouver. The Argos improved to 4-1 against East Division rivals. Hamilton dropped to 2-4. Toronto will travel to Vancouver next week in a game Milanovich said will be a big test. "Certainly we want to be able to beat the best and theyre one of if not the best in the league," he said "Really good teams get on a run in the second half of the season aand we hadnt done that.dddddddddddd. "We werent perfect today but I feel were headed in the right direction." Ticats head coach George Cortez cant say the same. "The issue was pretty much all that we did," he said. "Im concerned right now and very disappointed. "We have just not played well in all of the last five games." Jarious Jackson and Pat Watkins -- on a 27-yard interception return -- had Torontos other touchdowns. Eric Wilbur, replacing the injured Swayze Waters, added five converts, three field goals and a single. Sam Giguere, Onrea Jones and Andy Fantuz scored Hamiltons touchdowns. Williams added a two-point conversion, while Luca Congi booted three field goals and two extra points. Hamilton gained a huge momentum swing when Dee Webbs interception halted Torontos seven-play, 96-yard drive to open the second half. Still, it put the Ticats at their own five-yard line trailing 20-9. Hamilton responded with an outstanding four-play, 106-yard march that Burris capped with a 35-yard TD pass to Giguere for his first touchdown catch in the CFL. Then Burris -- who finished 16-of-30 passing for 272 yards with three TDs and an interception -- found Williams on the two-point covert to pull the Ticats to within 20-17 at 5:47. Ricky Ray countered by taking Toronto on a six-play, 63-yard march that included a 49-yard completion to Ken-Yon Rambo, making his first career start with the club. Jackson capped it with a one-yard TD run at 9:46 that put the Argos ahead 27-17. "The momentum definitely shifted," Milanovich said. "It was quiet there for a minute on the sidelines. "We kind of seized control after that, which is great because the momentum swings in a football game can crush teams that dont have fortitude. I was proud of our guys for battling back, believing and getting the job done in the third." Ray was an efficient 26-of-32 passing for 331 yards with an interception and credited Kackert with getting the offence going. "You want to control the line of scrimmage and when you can run the football as well as we did it definitely helps your team," Ray said. "It wasnt just four or five yards here and there, it was big plays, touchdown plays. "The other thing he did well was a couple of times I checked down to him and he picked up some first downs. If you give him a crease he has the speed to turn it into a touchdown and if you throw him those underneath passes hes going to get up the field and get yards." Toronto missed another glorious scoring chance when Dontrelle Inman couldnt hold on to what wouldve been a 30-yard TD pass when he collided head-first with the padded goalpost. Inman remained in the game but the Argos mustered just a single off Wilburs missed 37-yard field goal try to go ahead 28-17 at 14:38 of the third. "Thats what broke up the play?" Milanovich asked. "We, in fact, told him to head right for the goalpost. "He took it literally." Notes: Defensive end Ejiro Kuale and defensive back Ahmad Carroll, who returned an interception for a TD on Monday, were among Torontos scratches for the game. Milanovich said both had minor injuries and were merely rested. Their absence wasnt performance related. Wilbur handled the kicking chores after Waters (neck) was put on the one-game injured list Friday night. Waters booted the game-winning field goal Monday. ... Defensive lineman Rodney Harding, Torontos career sacks leader with 92, was named to the All-Time Argos team Saturday. Harding spent 10 of his 12 CFL seasons with Toronto and became the 22nd player to be named to the squad.

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